Best Practice Training Advice From TutorCare Ltd. All the latest articles on industry best practices.

Newport firm fined for lax health and safety after worker accident

A firm from Newport has been fined more than £50,000 in Cardiff Crown Court after an employee crushed his hand in workplace accident.

Employee Neil Smith was apparently measuring steel at his workplace, Celsa Manufacturing UK Ltd, when the incident occurred. After his original measurements were disputed by managers, Mr Smith was sent back to measure again using a method later ruled in court to be extremely dangerous.

Although he was likely to have undergone health and safety training and was wearing protective clothing, one of Mr Smith’s gloves became caught in the 18 inch calipers he was using. His hand was dragged into the rolling mill, where it was crushed and burnt to such an extent that two of his fingers had to be partially amputated at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Celsa Manufacturing UK Ltd admitted one charge of failing to ensure Mr Smith’s health and safety in the workplace, as well as using a dangerous form of measuring steel for a number of years prior to the incident.

The firm was fined a total of £50,000 and ordered to pay £10,715 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.